LCCC
ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
December 29/09
Bible Reading of the day
Malach 3/1-3/4:1 “For, behold, the day comes, it burns as a furnace; and all the
proud, and all who work wickedness, will be stubble;
(Straw) and the day that comes will burn them up,” says Yahweh of Armies, “that
it shall leave them neither root nor branch. 4:2 But to you who fear my name
shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings. You will go out,
and leap like calves of the stall. 4:3 You shall tread down the wicked; for they
will be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I make,” says Yahweh
of Armies.
Free Opinions, Releases, letters & Special
Reports
A rare glimpse into Hizbollah/National/December
28/09
Latest
News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for December 28/09
Israel says Iran nuclear plant
“immune” to conventional strike/Now Lebanon
Iran cracks down on opponents after
deadly protests/Now
Lebanon
Geagea: Nasrallah Believes
He Has 'Sharia Representative' Among Christians/Naharnet
Israel Mulling Withdrawal from
Ghajar in Two Phases /Naharnet
Fatfat says Nasrallah’s
speech was “unusual”/Now Lebanon
Jumblat:
Dahiyeh Incident Proves Persistence of Israeli Aggressions Against Lebanon
/Naharnet
Security Sources: Haret Hreik Blast Similar to One that Killed Majzoub Brothers
/Naharnet
Hizbullah Cell Trial Resumes: Tapes Viewed, Confessions Made about Transfer of
Explosives /Naharnet
Raad Criticizes 'Those
Stirring Debate over Resistance'
/Naharnet
Scenario for Jumblat's
Damascus Visit Being Mulled
/Naharnet
Nasrallah: We Won't be
Dragged into Internal Conflict over Resistance Arms
/Naharnet
Hamdan: Two Hamas Members
Killed in Saturday's Explosion
/Naharnet
Mitri: Let Hizbullah Prove
Sayings by Actions
/Naharnet
Suleiman: Haret Hreik's
Explosion Aimed at Undermining Stability
/Naharnet
Geagea: LF Working on
Preventing Another Civil War in Lebanon
/Naharnet
President of the Italian
Chamber of Deputies Fini arrives in Beirut/Now Lebanon
Labor slams Lieberman over comments against Turkish
mediation/Ynetnews
Michel Moawad: Hizbullah’s ideology
a strategic threat on identity/Future News
Israel
says Iran nuclear plant “immune” to conventional strike
December 28, 2009 /Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said on Monday that
Iran's recently-disclosed second uranium enrichment plant is "immune" to
conventional bombing.
"The new site near Qom is meant for enrichment. What was revealed by the
Iranians [is that it] had been built over years and is located in bunkers that
cannot be destroyed through a conventional attack," Barak told parliament's
Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. Barak said he feared Iran could develop a
nuclear weapon by 2011. "I believe that by early 2010 Iran will hold threshold
technology [for building a bomb]. That means that if it wanted, it could develop
nuclear weapons within a year of obtaining threshold technology," a senior
official quoted him as telling the parliamentary committee.-AFP/NOW Lebanon
Iran cracks down on opponents after deadly protests
December 28, 2009 /Now Lebanon/Iranian opposition website Rahesabz reported that
Iran's government cracked down on its opponents Monday, adding that Ebrahim
Yazdi – who served as the Iranian Foreign Minister in the early months of the
1979 Islamic revolution – and award-winning rights campaigner and journalist
Emadeddin Baghi were both arrested on Monday. The crackdown followed stern
warnings by the authorities that they would crush attempts to use processions
linked to Sunday's commemorations for Ashura as a launchpad for protests.
Reformist website Parlemannews, meanwhile, said Iranian authorities had also
rounded up several aides to reformist Former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami
and opposition leader Mir-Hossein Mousavi. Police had previously said at least
300 people were arrested during Sunday's protests, which turned into the
bloodiest showdown between protesters and security forces in months. State-run
English language Press TV on Monday put the death toll from the skirmishes at
eight, quoting an official with Iran's Supreme National Security Council. It did
not specify in which cities the victims were killed. Iranian state television
earlier gave a contradictory toll of at least 15 killed in the capital alone,
branding 10 among them as members of "anti-revolutionary terrorist" groups.
Meanwhile, the body of Mousavi's nephew, Seyed Ali Mousavi, who was killed in
Sunday's clashes, has been transferred from the hospital to an unknown location,
his brother said. The opposition said Seyed Ali Mousavi was among those killed
when security forces opened fire with live rounds after firing tear gas and
using batons against protesters in central Tehran.-NOW Lebanon
Israel Mulling Withdrawal from Ghajar in Two Phases
Naharnet/Israel was willing to adopt a United Nations plan for the withdrawal of
Israeli troops from the Lebanese border town of Ghajar, Israel radio reported.
Citing political sources in Israel, the radio said the Jewish state was ready to
pull out from Ghajar and put the northern part of the village under UNIFIL
control. The sources said Israel will withdraw from the territory under U.N.
resolution 1701 that ended the 34-day Israel-Hizbullah war. They said Israel was
mulling the possibility of carrying out the withdrawal in two phases, such as
the first phase would be a tryout. The second phase, however, is be completed
after making sure that "UNFIL succeeds in preventing Hizbullah from annoying the
village's residents," according to the sources. They said the Director General
of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in contact with UNIFIL to
guarantee the peacekeepers' deployment on the outskirts of Ghajar to "protect
residents who have Israeli identity cards made available to them by Hizbullah."The
rest of Ghajar would remain under Israel. According to residents, who claim
Syrian identity, the decision would divide families.Israel radio said Ghajar
residents fear they would be harassed by Hizbullah following the Israeli
withdrawal. Beirut, 28 Dec 09, 07:32
Michel
Moawad: Hizbullah’s ideology a strategic threat on identity
Date: December 27th, 2009/Source: LBC /Independence Movement leader Michel
Moawad said Sunday the ideology of Hizbullah that is linked to Iran constitutes
a “strategic threat on the Lebanese identity,” the Lebanese Broadcasting
Corporation reported.“We must first follow political means to deter Israel
before taking military options,” he said. He explained that his stance against
Hizbullah does not target the Shiite sect “MP Michel Aoun is providing Hizbullah
with a political and Christian cover and his popularity is deteriorating
constantly.”The Christian initiative will be declares within the first ten days
of January denying any intention to form a new Christian gathering.
Geagea: Nasrallah Believes He Has 'Sharia Representative' Among Christians
Naharnet/Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on Monday said that Ashoura's
speech of Hizbullah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah points at his
"negligence of national dialogue table" and at his belief that "he has a Sharia
representative among the Christians." "He considers that he has a Sharia
representative who adopts Hizbullah's standpoint and defends it among the
Christians till the last breath," said Geagea in a clear reference to
Hizbullah's Christian ally, Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun.
Sheikh Mohammad Yazbek -- Head of Hizbullah's Shura Council -- is the official
representative of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Lebanon. In an
interview with the Central News Agency, Geagea addressed the Interior Ministry
with a question about the legitimacy of the Hamas bureau -- that was targeted
with a bomb on Saturday -- to exist in Haret Hreik. "Why hasn't any official
Lebanese authority issued a statement after 48 hours from the explosion?" asked
Geagea. Beirut, 28 Dec 09, 17:41
Security Sources: Haret Hreik Blast Similar to One that Killed Majzoub Brothers
Naharnet/Mystery shrouded Saturday night's explosion which left three people
killed, including two Hamas members, in Hizbullah's stronghold in Beirut's
southern suburbs.
Different versions of the same incident were given. State-run National News
Agency said military court judge Rahif Ramadan visited Dahiyeh on Sunday to
examine the explosion site.
It said Ramadan instructed Lebanese army explosive experts to examine the
findings at the site. NNA said Ramadan also tasked criminal investigators to
conduct a probe into the blast after experts inspected the place, took pictures
and lifted fingerprints. It said inspection determined that the bomb was packed
with 15 kilograms of TNT placed in a basement that housed Hamas offices. Hamas
spokesman Ayman Taha said the explosion had killed two members of his movement
and wounded three people. "The circumstances of the explosion are unclear and it
is too early to name the party" responsible, Taha said. Attacks are rare in
Hizbullah's southern suburbs stronghold. Other reports, however, said that the
explosion took place between 8 and 9:30pm Saturday in a car that was part of
Hamas representative in Lebanon Mustafa Hamdan's convoy parked outside Hamas
headquarters in Haret Hreik. Another story said the blast was likely to have
been caused by explosives concealed in a parcel. Security circles, meanwhile,
told pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat that the explosion was similar to the one that
killed the Majzoub brothers in Sidon in May 2006. Nidal and Mahmoud Mazjoub,
members of the Islamic Jihad group, were assassinated by a car bomb. Mahmoud
Qassem Rafeh, a 62-year-old retired Internal Security Forces official, confessed
after his arrest to having "collaborated with Israeli intelligence agents"
between 1993 and 2006 and admitted to having transported car parts from Israel
to Lebanon which were used in the bombing that killed the Majzoub brothers.
Beirut, 28 Dec 09, 08:53
Fatfat says Nasrallah’s speech was “unusual”
December 28, 2009
Now Lebanon/Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah’s speech on the
last day of the Shia Muslim holiday of Ashura was “unusual,” said Lebanon First
bloc MP Ahmad Fatfat in an interview with MTV television on Monday. He added
that Nasrallah wanted to convey a message “to others” by addressing the
Christians in Lebanon. This is following the Hezbollah leader’s call on
Christian parties to engage in calm dialogue. Fatfat said that Nasrallah’s
speech does not unite Lebanese, rather it divides them. He also said that there
should not be a dispute over Hezbollah’s weapon, especially after the May 7
events, when the opposition took over West Beirut. He commented on UN Security
Council Resolution 1559, saying the presence of Palestinian weapons outside the
refugee camps violate the resolution. Fatfat also said that such weapons are
from Syria, adding they are not being used to fight Israel. Resolution 1701 is
based on Resolution 1559, and therefore it cannot be abolished, he said. -NOW
Lebanon
Mitri: Let Hizbullah Prove Sayings by Actions
Naharnet/Information Minister Tarek Mitri on Sunday said that security forces
"were not able to perform the minimum of their duties after the explosion that
took place in Beirut's Southern Suburbs Saturday night."In an interview with
Voice of Lebanon radio station, Mitri added: "Security cannot be segregated and
a security mission cannot be separated from another." Mitri stressed that
Hizbullah "has to prove sayings by actions," and added that Hizbullah officials
always say that "they want the State to perform its duties, and that no area is
restricted to its authority.""The credibility of all sides is at the stake and
they have to respect their sayings," added Mitri. Beirut, 27 Dec 09, 17:10
Security Sources: Haret Hreik Blast Similar to One that Killed Majzoub Brothers
Naharnet/Mystery shrouded Saturday night's explosion which left three people
killed, including two Hamas members, in Hizbullah's stronghold in Beirut's
southern suburbs.
Different versions of the same incident were given. State-run National News
Agency said military court judge Rahif Ramadan visited Dahiyeh on Sunday to
examine the explosion site.
It said Ramadan instructed Lebanese army explosive experts to examine the
findings at the site. NNA said Ramadan also tasked criminal investigators to
conduct a probe into the blast after experts inspected the place, took pictures
and lifted fingerprints. It said inspection determined that the bomb was packed
with 15 kilograms of TNT placed in a basement that housed Hamas offices. Hamas
spokesman Ayman Taha said the explosion had killed two members of his movement
and wounded three people. "The circumstances of the explosion are unclear and it
is too early to name the party" responsible, Taha said. Attacks are rare in
Hizbullah's southern suburbs stronghold. Other reports, however, said that the
explosion took place between 8 and 9:30pm Saturday in a car that was part of
Hamas representative in Lebanon Mustafa Hamdan's convoy parked outside Hamas
headquarters in Haret Hreik.
Another story said the blast was likely to have been caused by explosives
concealed in a parcel. Security circles, meanwhile, told pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat
that the explosion was similar to the one that killed the Majzoub brothers in
Sidon in May 2006. Nidal and Mahmoud Mazjoub, members of the Islamic Jihad
group, were assassinated by a car bomb. Mahmoud Qassem Rafeh, a 62-year-old
retired Internal Security Forces official, confessed after his arrest to having
"collaborated with Israeli intelligence agents" between 1993 and 2006 and
admitted to having transported car parts from Israel to Lebanon which were used
in the bombing that killed the Majzoub brothers. Beirut, 28 Dec 09, 08:53
Raad Criticizes 'Those Stirring Debate over Resistance'
Naharnet/Hizbullah MP Mohammed Raad on Monday criticized "those who stir and
provoke a debate over the resistance." "We tell them that the resistance has
preserved your right to speak," Raad said. "The option of the resistance is the
option that keeps you talking," he added. Beirut, 28 Dec 09, 14:08
Jumblat: Dahiyeh Incident Proves Persistence of Israeli Aggressions Against
Lebanon
Naharnet/Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat considered the
explosion that targeted Hamas members in Beirut Southern Suburbs as "an act of
sabotage that proves the persistence of Israeli aggressions against Lebanon."In
an article in his party's Al Anbaa weekly, Jumblat urged "to present all
required support for the official security services, especially the army's
intelligence, in order to enable them of unveiling Israeli spy networks.""The
Israeli aggression plan is persistent and ongoing, not only against Lebanon, but
also against the West Bank," added Jumblat, condemning "the silence of the
entire international community." Beirut, 28 Dec 09, 16:02
Hamdan: Two Hamas Members Killed in Saturday's Explosion
Naharnet/Hamas chief in Lebanon Osama Hamdan on Sunday announced that the
movement's members Bassel Jomaa and Hassan al-Haddad were killed in Saturday
night's explosion that targeted "a Hamas office that also has sleeping quarters
for bodyguards." "Hassan Saeed al-Haddad, 21, and Bassel Ahmed Jomaa, 26, were
martyred in Saturday night's explosion," Hamdan said. Hamdan identified the pair
as "senior bodyguards." But he refused to speculate on the reasons behind the
blast or who was behind it, echoing remarks made earlier by Hamas spokesman
Ayman Taha on Dubai-based Al-Arabiya television. Taha also said three people
were wounded. "The circumstances of the explosion are unclear and it is too
early to name the party" responsible, Taha said. Military Judge Rahif Ramadan
and the concerned security services examined Haret Hreik's explosion site,
according to state-run National News Agency.
The explosion resulted from a 15 kilograms TNT bomb that was planted in an
underground office and led to the death of two and the injury of another two,
according to examinations.
The explosion came on the eve of the climax of Ashoura. Thousands of Lebanese
Shiites gathered in the southern suburbs of Beirut on Sunday to mark the end of
10 days of rituals marking the Shiite holy day of Ashoura. Hizbullah chief
Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah addressed the crowd in a speech broadcast by videolink
but did not mention Saturday's blast.
An AFP photographer said late on Saturday that the blast occurred in an alley in
Harek Hreik, meters away from a community center where Hizbullah was organizing
a ceremony to commemorate Ashoura. Witnesses said that local Hamas official Ali
Baraka has an office in the area where the blast occurred.(Naharnet-AFP) Beirut,
27 Dec 09, 18:40
Geagea: LF Working on Preventing Another Civil War in
Lebanon
Naharnet/Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea stressed that his top priority is
working on preventing the return to civil war in Lebanon, and that history will
remember what LF is doing today. In a speech at the annual Christmas dinner held
by LF-Bcharri, Geagea said: "I assure you today that I'm striving with all my
effort, energy, and concentration so that war doesn't return to Lebanon. If you
ask me about the things I'm longing to, I will answer: 'No-return' to war as the
most important." "Generations after generations will be proud of what we are
achieving today of valor," added Geagea. Geagea urged the youth not to get lost
in small details by saying: "Today, we are making history, and God has given us
this bless and ability to participate in making the history of Lebanon, and at
some stages the history of the entire Middle East." Beirut, 27 Dec 09, 16:08
President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies Fini arrives
in Beirut
December 28, 2009 /Now Lebanon/President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies
Gianfranco Fini on Sunday arrived at Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International
Airport, where he was welcomed by Development and Liberation bloc MP Abdel Latif
Zein on behalf of Speaker Nabih Berri. Fini will reportedly meet with
high-ranking Lebanese officials.
-NOW Lebanon